GE Dedicates $45 Million to Renewable Energy Global Headquarters

The event also marked the installation of GE’s 13,500th wind turbine globally, further demonstrating the continued growth of GE’s renewable energy business. GE is the largest supplier of wind turbines in North America, and the company’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine is the most widely used wind turbine in the world. GE’s global installed fleet now generates enough electricity to power nearly 6 million U.S. homes.

The establishment of the Renewable Energy Global Headquarters has spurred the creation of more than 650 new jobs in Schenectady, 150 more than originally anticipated and a year ahead of schedule.

Without long-term, supportive policy, however, the continued growth of the U.S. wind power industry could be jeopardized, noted Abate. "The establishment of a federal renewable electricity standard (RES) with strong, near term goals, would provide the stability and support needed to encourage investors and drive growth in the U.S. wind industry," he said. "This ongoing growth would continue the momentum experienced by the industry over the last several years, creating needed U.S. manufacturing jobs."

Abate urged Congress to heed President Obama’s call during the State of the Union address to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill that could help create jobs and make America energy independent. "If our elected officials, the public and the energy industry work together, the U.S. can provide the global leadership needed to solve the world’s clean energy challenges and create American jobs," Abate said.

GE’s new Renewable Energy Global Headquarters meets federal Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building standards and will be 20% more energy efficient than required by New York State building standards. Features include low-water faucets and improved insulation, energy efficient hot water boilers and air conditioning system, energy efficient, larger windows and bike racks and preferred parking for hybrid vehicles.

A 48-kilowatt GE solar system installed nearby helps to power the building, and a four-story atrium houses a scale model wind turbine and interactive displays featuring GE’s renewable energy technologies. A state-of-the-art Remote Operations Center is one of two global facilities that provides continuous monitoring and diagnostic services for GE’s installed base of wind turbines and solar power electronics.

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that’s built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With 60,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy – GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas – work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind energy, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

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